Occupational health and safety news and guidance

A fairground ride operator has been fined after a worker was thrown
from a ride during the 2010 May Bank Holiday fair in Barnard Castle.

On 31 May 2010, Martin Brown, 17, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire was
working for Elliot Crow, of ride owners Alan Crow Amusements, as a ride
attendant on the Crazy Frog Ride.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard the ride was one of several set
up at the Morrisons store car park in Galgate, Barnard Castle for the
May Bank Holiday Fair.

Mr. Brown occupied one of the cars in order to balance the ride.
However, shortly after the ride started he was thrown from the ride and
suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull, wrists, jaw and
eye socket.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Mr.
Crow failed to check Mr. Brown was seated in the ride properly or was
adequately restrained, leading to his colleague being thrown from the
car once the ride had started.

Elliot Samuel Crow, 20, of Fairfield, High Street, Northallerton was found guilty of breaching Section
7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £520.
He was also ordered to pay £500 costs and a £15 Victim Surcharge.